A UNIQUE £2.8 million scheme to regenerate the North York Moors was today hailed a major success.

A report published today said the five-year Moorland Regeneration Programme, which has just finished, involved:

*The rebuilding of access roads and construction of new cattle grids.

*The restoration of 409 hectares of moorland.

* Improvements in lamb survival rates.

*The protection of 340 local jobs.

*The creation of 11 new jobs in moorland management.

The innovative project, which saw more than 100 farmers and 26 estates working together, highlighted the links between safeguarding jobs and sustaining the environment, and improving communications between moorland managers, farmers and conservationists.

And the report said it may have laid down the foundations for a rural recovery plan to save a region hard-hit by the devastating effects of foot and mouth disease.

Programme co-ordinator Michael Graham said: "It has been a substantially different project because it has seen several sectors together as a real partnership, and that in itself is a very good achievement.

"The project has delivered significant gains to conservation.

"We have had land designated a site of special scientific interest, the biggest inland SSSI in England."

Mr Graham said work on the moorland programme included improvements in infrastructure such as access tracks and sheep dips for farms.

He said: "The partnerships that have developed as part of the programme are still working and we are very keen to see these continue.

"The programme has been a co-ordinated effort and we don't want to lose that."

The project was jointly funded by the European Union, MAFF (now DEFRA), English Natures, private businesses and the North York Moors National Park Authority.

George Allison, who has around 700 sheep in Bilsdale, said the scheme had been welcomed by farmers in the National Park.

He said: "It has given us an opportunity to work alongside the Park."

Money had been invested in sheep dipping to prevent harmful ticks being passed on to grouse.

He said: "Without the grouse there wouldn't be the businessmen coming to shoot, and they help the rural economy by staying in hotels and bringing a lot of money into the area."

George Winn-Darley of the Moorland Association said everyone remained committed to working in the new partnerships.

He said: "It is important to recognise that environmental improvementstake a long time to accrue.

"We are continuing to work to identify future needs, strengthening the links between moorland management and conservation and seeking ways to build on the sound foundations that have been laid."

Updated: 09:08 Monday, December 10, 2001